| Fan Fiction |
by DTLCT
“I’ll bet you ten meals on it,” Ray said.
“Ridiculous, man,” Wallace said. “I’m not betting with you.”
“It’s all in the fun. Or are you scared?”
“Stop messing around already,” Jessica interfered. “Are you going to help us at all?”
Ray looks around. “With all you girls in the kitchen and I still have to cook?”
Jessica frowns at him.
“All right, all right.” He sees Mandy. “Oh, sis, get out of the kitchen. I’m taking over for you.”
“It’s okay,” Mandy said. “We’re almost done anyway.”
“It’s just some morning meal and everyone’s gathered in my apartment? This is impossible.”
“You have to make it interesting, you know,” Wallace said.
“You guys sure know how to enjoy yourselves on holidays,” Vincent remarked.
“Like there’s anything else to do.” He eyes Vincent suspiciously. “Why are you here anyway? In fact, why are you both here?”
“Ray!” Ms. Bak called out.
Ray turns to his mother. “Mom, I didn’t mean that. I just think that it’s strange they’re not at the company’s party.”
“Clever me, backed right out of it,” Vincent said proudly. “Besides, Dad has to socialize with one of the most important potential clients so he told me not to sabotage it. I told him I won’t. He then remembered something about the event tonight so I asked him to let me off this morning’s event so I won’t be around to mess it up for him. On the other hand, I could stay with Mom and the others so it wouldn’t be too obvious that he isn’t around to eat dinner with us.”
“I get that part but what about Wallace?”
Wallace smiles. “I kept goofing up lately that he doesn’t want to risk it.”
“Goofing up? Are you serious? Have you been too corrupted by us?”
Wallace waves his hand. “You just think too high of yourself, man. I just don’t feel like doing this job any longer.”
“You’re too used to the action more than the pen now?” Kenneth asked.
Wallace turns to give Kenneth a sharp look.
Ray turns to Kenneth. “What are you talking about?”
Kenneth clears his throat. “I meant since he’s so used to seeing dramas around here versus his boring working environment, it would be likely that his motivation has gone down.”
“What does that have to do with anything though? I mean like he’s an ex-cop and he feels like returning to that job again or something.” He snaps his attention to Wallace again. “Are you?”
Wallace lets out an amusing laugh. “What in the world are you talking about? Just because he’s weird doesn’t mean I am.”
“Thanks a lot,” Kenneth said.
“By the way, aren’t you supposed to be stalking your sister?” Ray asked.
“She’s asking me to come over tonight and since I’m hiding from the princess right now, might as well come here.”
“Nice of you to think so highly of me to use this as your hiding place.”
Kenneth smiles. “Anytime.”
“It’s so funny how I used to think you’re so cool but now you’re just…” He sees Wallac. “Just like how I used to think Wallace’s so cool but now he’s acting so silly just because he found something called love.”
“Don’t start, man,” Wallace warned. “And you probably don’t know. But you know what Ken did one time?”
“What?”
“He actually glided by at the restricted zone and told me to get in fast because he couldn’t find a parking spot. He’s not so serious or cool like you said after all. In fact, he might be just a little too insane.”
“That’s interesting all right. I want to hear more of his stories.”
“Hey, what is this?” Kenneth asked, looking from Ray to Wallace. “Expose me time?”
“Then how about sharing our darkest secrets then?”
“You guys sound like a bunch of high school girls trying to share some secrets at tea time,” Yoyo said from the kitchen.
“Hey! Not funny.”
Yoyo is actually done with cooking so she walks out to sit next to Ray and to join in on their conversation. She’s actually sitting on the arm of the chair Ray’s sitting at. “Who wants to go first then?”
Ray snaps his attention to Yoyo. “And you were making fun of me?”
“The way you put it sounds almost silly but it’ll be fun to know.”
“Talking about sharing secrets, you guys know what?”
The others know it’s a rhetorical question so they wait for him to continue.
“We were so robbed that one time when we were stuck in the elevator with Jacky and Jan. The nerve of them to say they never dated anyone before besides from each other.”
“It could be true though,” Yoyo said.
“It’s Jacky, Yoyo.”
“So?” Yoyo has been peeling a banana while listening in, so she ends up taking a bite out of it after saying that.
“I’ll definitely hunt them down later and demand an explanation.”
“Talking about Jan…” She turns back towards the kitchen without finishing the sentence. “Jess!”
Jessica looks up from the stove. “What?”
“Was Jan all right?”
Jessica ponders if Yoyo means what she means, but she knows that she promised Jan so she can’t just blurt it out. She pretends not to understand so she ends up displaying the “Huh” expression instead.
“I meant her health condition.”
Jessica looks back at the stove. “She’s fine.”
Ray stands up from his seat at that time and walks into the kitchen towards Jessica. “Are you hiding something from us?”
“What are you talking about now?” Yoyo asked.
“She always look away when she’s about to lie.”
“It’s burning soon if she doesn’t tend to it.”
Mandy is by the counter with Charmaine trying to finish the dessert she’s preparing but she stops her stirring when she hears Ray’s confrontation. Charmaine stops her progress also and turns her attention to Jessica as well.
“They know I’m right, Jess,” Ray said. “What is it?”
“Are you going to prank your girlfriend as well?” Wallace asked. “She doesn’t know about the Gallen thing, okay?”
Ray turns to Wallace. “I’m serious this time.” He turns back to Jessica again. “Well?”
“Ge…” Mandy interfered.
“What?”
“It’s Christmas, let’s not start anything.”
“I want to know.”
“Ray, let’s forget it, all right?” Yoyo said. “I was just asking. Sorry, Jess.”
Jessica shakes her head. “It’s all right. It’s not your fault. It’s just that I promised Jan not to tell anyone.”
“That means…” She leaves the sentence hanging on purpose and heads out of the apartment.
The others look after her without a clue, except for Jessica who is still tending to the stove.
“Um…let’s get back to the bet, okay, Ray?” Wallace jumped in, wanting to dissolve the awkwardness between all parties.
Ray’s still eyeing Jessica. “You and Yoyo know something that we don’t know? It involves Jan, right?”
“Ray, perhaps you shouldn’t pry anymore,” Gallen said. “Yoyo said she just wants to know. It’s no big deal. I’ll go check on Yoyo.”
After saying that, he steps out of the apartment also – both because he wants to look for Yoyo and to know of Jan’s condition. He knows that Yoyo’s probably calling Jan up to check on her. He wants to be there and confirm for himself of the matter.
“Ray?” Wallace urged again.
“Ray…” Ms. Bak called out.
Ray snaps back into alertness when he hears his mother calling him. He walks back into the living room and sits next to her at the sofa – instead of his previous spot.
“Are you okay?”
“It’s just too strange that there are still hidden secrets, that’s all.”
“Like we don’t have some of our own, ge,” Mandy reminded him. “The others never pried into our problems in the past, right? Let’s give them a break then. Jess jie will tell us when it’s the right time.”
Wallace looks around the room. “So…who wants to try my new creation?”
“Ge!” Alice jumped in. “You came up with something?”
Alice has been sitting next to Charmaine and helping her. Now that she hears her brother saying something about ‘a new creation’, she seems to come alive again.
“Anyone else?” Wallace asked.
“I was just gone for a while and you couldn’t even keep our door closed?” A voice from the door asked.
Mandy drops her spoon back into the bowl of substance she’s stirring and runs to the door upon hearing the voice. She runs into Kevin’s arm before he could drop his luggage on the ground. He tosses it aside quickly before hugging her back. When they finally separate, Ray is by the door also.
Kevin scans the room. “Wow! It’s a full house today. Looks like you’ve managed to recruit half of the block here.”
“Why are you back, man?” Ray asked, eyeing Kevin suspiciously.
Mandy turns to Ray. “Ge!”
“It’s a harmless question, sis.”
Kevin smiles. “It’s all right, Mandy.” He could see Ms. Bak at that time. “Hi, Auntie.”
Ms. Bak smiles at him. She seems so calm and peaceful that Kevin almost thought he must’ve been mistaken. He turns back to Ray for an explanation.
“Close the door and we’ll exchange stories,” Ray said. “Don’t lock it though since…”
“Tim and Yoyo?” Kevin asked.
“Yea.”
Kevin nods and does as instructed. He moves his luggage away from the door before joining Ray at the sofa. Mandy gives him an encouraging smile for luck before heading back to the kitchen.
“Well?” Kevin prompted.
“I asked you first,” Ray said. “Go.”
“Ok. Something came up here so Auntie decided to come back early. You know, holiday madness. So I told her I’ll come back with her and help her with whatever. She agreed since she knows I’ll be feeling awkward with the other relatives anyway. Your turn.”
Ray quickly tells Kevin from the top what have been happening after they part ways – excluding some details.
“Wow!”
Ray tosses a chip into his mouth. “Yes, I was that amazing, right? I managed to save the day with my charm and pose and not to mention…”
Ms. Bak hits Ray lightly on the head at that time.
Ray turns to his mother, rubbing his head. “What, Mom?”
“I never knew my son could exaggerate so much.”
“Come on now, Mom. You have to give me some credits.”
“Ge, you’re just too much,” Mandy said.
“You’re against me too?”
“You know how you are, Ray,” Nnadia chimed in.
Ray turns to Kevin and Wallace. “Why aren’t you guys defending me?”
“I better go start my creation or it won’t be ready by the time…” Wallace rattled off – as if scripted beforehand.
“Great. Just because his girl is here, he has to go with the majority and backstab on his fellow comrades.”
Kevin shakes his head. “You’re as dramatic as always.”
Ray turns his full attention on Kevin. “Talking about dramas, sounds like you’re one of the first ones to know.”
Kevin looks puzzled. “What?”
“Don’t pretend. You knew Gallen was a P.I. from the start, right?”
Kevin is about to turn to Wallace for help but could see Ray’s threatening look so he doesn’t dare to flinch for a second.
“Don’t look to him for help. He was actually the last one to know among you guys.”
“You know now?”
“Of course I know. Stop asking senseless questions.”
“Ge…” Mandy interfered.
“I know what I’m doing.”
“All right, all right,” Kevin said, defeated. “He approached me first when I was just poking around for more information that’s linking you and Mr. Cho. Remember the similarities? It was just too much. I was so curious that I went back to Phoenix Dragon to investigate. I wanted to ask Simon more questions, but Gallen beat him to it. I meant he ended up talking to me.”
“Jacky?”
“No, that was really Simon. He’s always poking his nose and around and eavesdrop so he could get information and brag to his colleagues. Gallen had to make sure he was out of the way before telling me more about you and Mr. Cho. I meant Uncle.”
“That long? You meant that was the day I slept in, right? Correction, you thought I slept in.”
“Yea.”
“Great.”
“Ray…”
“I’m not mad. I told them already.”
“Talking about Jacky and Simon, I couldn’t believe he bribed Simon into leaving and returned to his hometown for a while,” Wallace said.
“What?!” Kevin and Ray exclaimed out at the same time.
“He didn’t tell you guys?”
“Apparently not,” Ray snapped, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
“He told me and Gallen one time.”
“Good for you guys then.”
“It was the only way he could disguise himself as Simon and come here to spy on us.”
“Isn’t it twisted though? I meant he’s a cop after all.”
“He’s undercover,” Kenneth said. “He can’t afford to reveal himself to someone like Simon.”
Ray turns to Kenneth. “You’re on his side now?”
“I’m just telling the truth.”
Ray nods. “Whatever.”He gets up from his seat at that time. “Sharing time’s over. Let’s move it with the preparation.”
“You’re not helping that much, you know,” Nnadia pointed out.
“I’m in charge.”
Nnadia laughs at that comment.
Ray turns back to the others in the living room. “Did Gallen and Yoyo elope already?”
“Tough luck,” Wallace said.
“What tough luck?” Gallen asked from the door.
“Wonderful,” Ray muttered. “We were just talking about you two…” He stops because he could see his father behind Gallen. He snaps his attention back to his mother right away, not knowing whether to shield her vision line or push him out the door.
“Ge, what are you…” She sees it too.
The others end up freezing in their spot. Jessica has managed to turn off the stove already and is about to return to the living room for a break. She stops when she’s standing next to Ray by the dining table.
“What are you kids standing there for?” Ms. Bak asked. “Go ahead and invite him in. It’s Christmas after all.”
Ray finally unfreezes himself from his spot and heads for the door. Jessica and Mandy follow closely behind, helping Mr. Cho. Although it isn’t necessary but they feel like they need to be there when he sits down. Mandy takes the bag from Mr. Cho and leads him into the living room while Jessica turns to Gallen and Yoyo, gesturing her hands. While Mandy’s setting the small cake Mr. Cho brought over onto the coffee table – with Kevin’s help since he has managed to unfreeze himself and is by Mandy’s side right now, Ray looks around to find a spot for his father. He gestures for Vincent and Kenneth to move away from the loveseat. They get up at the same time and pretend to move towards the kitchen.
“Would you stop it, Ray?” Ms. Bak demanded. “Let your father sit at the sofa. Hurry!”
Ray has on a nervous smile. “Yes, that’s right, Mom. Let me sit in the middle!”
“Are you afraid that I’m going to eat him alive if he’s alone?”
“Uh…no, Mom.” He lets out a nervous laugh. “Of course not!”
“Ge…” Mandy called out to him.
Ray turns to her to see her gesturing to him so they could go back to the kitchen. They end up helping Gallen, Yoyo, Kenneth, and Vincent change the tablecloth and set up the dinner table while keeping an eye on Mr. Cho and Ms. Bak. It appears that Mr. Cho and Ms. Bak are getting along fine but looks could be deceiving so they continue to do their tasks while they monitor the two. After they’re done setting up the table, they end up sitting at the table instead of coming back to the living room. Jessica has somehow managed to join them by the table also.
“Was that your bright idea to lead him up here and right into the lion’s den?” Ray whispered to Gallen.
“I…” Gallen began.
“Who are you implying?” Yoyo whispered back.
“The nosy person…?” Ray asked.
“The lion.”
“Eh…stop trapping me.”
“Why are you getting nervous?” Jessica asked. “Come on now, it won’t be that bad. If she’s okay with Mandy, she should be with Uncle too, right?”
“Tough luck. You weren’t there the day she gave him several slaps. Wait…” He turns to Mandy. “…how many were there?”
“Like I could remember about that,” Mandy muttered.
“Stop staring, Ray,” Kevin said.
“I have to look at the battlefield once awhile to see when it will start,” Ray said. “Why does it have to be Christmas day?”
“Like he knows,” Mandy said. “Oh…didn’t you invite him?”
Kevin claps Ray’s shoulder. “You’re in for good this time, Ray.”
“This reminds me of the family reunion we had last time with Uncle,” Vincent commented.
Wallace walks over to them at that time. He wrinkles his eyebrows. “Why are you guys all gathered here? We’re ready to eat soon.” He turns to Kenneth. “You checked with Joey yet?”
“I haven’t got a chance since after Mr. Cho walked in,” Kenneth said.
“You’re getting paranoid as them too?”
“It’s family dramas after all.”
“It’s better when you’re in control? You sure scared the world out of Ruby all right.”
“Like you didn’t suffer through it while she was stalking you.”
“Cory was.”
“Same difference.”
“Sh…” Gallen attempted to shut both guys.
The others turn to him. He points towards the living room. They all turn to see Ms. Bak suddenly turning her attention to them. They automatically turn on a smile to greet her, especially Ray.
“You kids are acting quite weird since the last fifteen minutes,” Ms. Bak said. “Would you stop it? Come over here.”
Wallace is the only one who walks over to her with any confidence. The others all hurdle together in a straight line in front of Mr. Cho and Ms. Bak.
“You called, Mom?” Ray asked.
“How about you kids starting to tell me from the top what you did to discover so many things, including your father and…” Ms. Bak said.
“Where should we start? It’s kind of hard.”
“You go first then.”
Ray scratches his head. “Um…all right. I was getting suspicious because Mandy moved in. I don’t know. She reminded me of Lily. Then I saw her talking to Dad that one time and…no wait…that’s not right. That was after Dad’s birthday, right?” He scratches his head again.
“You were suspicious of Uncle after he talked about his son and daughter and his past mistakes,” Yoyo took over. “You called me up and wanted me to help you. I baked the cake with you over at my house to help you set things up for his birthday. You said his birthday was that night. I thought you were reacting on just some mere coincidences but you were right in the end with the test with the cake and all.”
At first, they are just listening in. But when Yoyo mentioned “the cake”, Jessica turns to look at Ray. Ray gives her a nervous smile back. Yoyo could see the hostility building up so she stops before even finishing at all.
“I thought you said that you baked it when I wasn’t home,” Kevin said.
“Uh…you weren’t home, were you?” Ray asked.
“Of course not.”
“So…technically, I wasn’t lying.”
“Jess, don’t misunderstand,” Yoyo said. “The reason why he told me these stuffs was because we knew each other a long time ago – way before high school.” She turns to Ms. Bak. “Auntie, do you remember me?”
“You are…” Ms. Bak mumbled.
“My father was the one who treated Ray that day when you brought him in. I was also there and took him out for ice cream afterwards.”
“Oh…”
“Yes.” She turns back to Jessica. “So I think Ray just thought of telling me first because I was also there that day – even if it was after the incident.”
Jessica shakes her head. “No need to explain. I just thought it’s a bit strange, that’s all.”
Yoyo turns back to Mr. Cho and Ms. Bak. “Ray told Jessica after that.”
“Yes, it was the day after Dad’s birthday,” Ray said.
After that, it is easier for them to take turns telling Mr. Cho and Ms. Bak about their findings. Gallen, Kenneth, and Vincent are the only three standing there listening intently without interrupting – since the matter doesn’t concern them so they wouldn’t dare to contribute. Gallen knows about it too, but he doesn’t want to expose Mr. Cho. When they’re done, Ray speaks up before his father or mother could speak.
“So that’s done, could we please eat now?” Ray asked casually. “I’m hungry. In fact, we didn’t eat breakfast, remember?”
“You just munched down two apples and a bag of chips earlier,” Mandy whispered to Ray.
“But that’s not real food, okay?” Ray shot back.
“Auntie’s looking at you,” Yoyo whispered to Ray.
Ray snaps his attention back on his mother and flashes out his usual charming smile.
“Ray, you’re not a kid anymore,” Ms. Bak reminded her son.
“I’m one at heart.”
“I guess you’ve been through so much that you could open up a detective agency of your own.”
“Great then. I think with Gallen’s guidelines, we could end up being pros soon enough.”
Everyone in the room turns to Ray – including Gallen. Mr. Cho is the only one not looking at Ray, but at Gallen. Ray knows that he just goofed up when he told the others not to tell his father. He lets out a nervous laugh before taking a step forward and out of the line they just formed since they’ve step back into the living room.
“Uh…Dad…it wasn’t him,” Ray said. “It was me and Yoyo.” He lets out another nervous laugh. “We’re a great team, right?”
Ms. Bak turns to Mr. Cho. “Forget it already, Old Man. They’ve become good friends already. You can’t just fire him because of that, right?”
Mr. Cho turns to Ms. Bak. “Sheryl, you knew?”
“Ray wouldn’t dare hiding it from me. After all, the kids have a talk yesterday afternoon about it.”
Before Mr. Cho could respond, Ray jumps in. “Dad, if you must know, I’m really trying to protect Yoyo’s future husband from harm right now. After all, her father saved my life so it’s only right if I protect my savior’s daughter’s future husband, right?”
“Raymond Cho!” Yoyo yelled out.
Yoyo forgets the current situation upon hearing Ray’s words and ends up chasing him around the apartment, breaking the intense atmosphere enveloping them all at the same time.
“You can’t stop a guy from telling truth, you know!” Ray yelled out.
The others could see Ms. Bak shaking her head and smiling at the two.
“Old Man, can’t you see how childish they can get?” Ms. Bak asked. “Just forget it, okay? After all, Gallen have always looked out for Ray whether you paid him or not.”
Mr. Cho turns back to Gallen. “I wasn’t going to fire you, young man.”
Gallen finally brings his head up to look at Mr. Cho.
“You’ve done a good job and…”
“I actually want to say that from now on, I don’t want to collect money from you anymore,” Gallen said. “Let’s just say we’re neighbors and are looking out for one another, all right?”
“What about your job and…”
“I’m a P.I., sir. I can do other side jobs as well. Like I’ve been doing these past months.”
Mr. Cho nods.
“I guess let’s listen to Ray and go eat,” Ms. Bak said.
“You’re the best, Mom!” Ray yelled out upon hearing his mother’s words.
Because Ray had stopped to address his mother so Yoyo could finally catch him. She ends up pulling on his ear.
“Eh…just because you’re two years older than me doesn’t mean you can bully me like that.”
Since Mr. Cho and Ms. Bak are walking towards the dinner table together, the others take the hint to follow suit as well.
“Eh…let go,” Ray urged.
“Fine,” Yoyo said. She ends up putting a hand on Mandy’s shoulder and walks together with her to the table.
Wallace signals for the others to scatter out at the counter or the living instead since he wants to let the Chos have a family meal together – finally. Gallen, Yoyo, and Nnadia are the only ones that are sitting together with the Chos at the table. Of course Jessica and Kevin have to sit there for obvious reasons. Mr. Cho and Ms. Bak are sitting opposite from each other at the ends. Ray is actually next to his mother with Jessica next to him. Mandy ends up sitting next to Mr. Cho and Kevin next to her. The others pile on the other side of the table.
Ms. Bak looks at the others. “There are plenty of rooms here.”
“We’re fine, Auntie,” Wallace reassured her.
Mandy turns to Charmaine. “Charm!”
Charmaine knows that Mandy wants her to be there so she walks over to the table and sits on the other side next to Nnadia.
Wallace and the others end up helping with carrying food over to various places. The others of course help arrange the dishes around the table as soon as it’s being placed on the surface. Wallace, Cyndi, Vincent, Alyssa, and Kenneth end up sitting at the counter while the others are spread out in the living room. Although they’re at different tables, but they still carry a conversation reaching one another. They also have side conversations of their own.
“It gets interesting by the minute,” Vincent whispered to Wallace. “I thought you said that they’re like…”
Wallace turns to Vincent. “They’re right here, you know.”
“Why do you think I was whispering?”
“Stop being nosy,” Alyssa scolded him. “Eat already.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Wallace wrinkles his eyebrows. “When did you become so obedient?”
“You wouldn’t understand. You’re lucky that Cyndi’s so…”
Alyssa clears her throat at that time.
Vincent smiles at her. “Was kidding, hon.”
“What is with you guys and not locking your doors?” Someone’s voice from the front door asked. “Even if it’s Christmas.”
The others turn around to see Joey walking in.
“Madame Meng!” Wallace called out.
“You made it after all?” Kenneth asked.
“Looks like a full house.” Joey finally sees Mr. Cho and Ms. Bak – aka the Cho family so she stops at where she is – which is between the kitchen and the living room. She gives both a polite nod.
Ray smiles. “Madame Meng.”
Joey has on her teasing smile. “Off work.”
“Hey, Joey.”
“Uncle, uh…”
“Auntie is fine,” Ms. Bak filled in.
Joey smiles.
“Don’t be formal. Go ahead.”
Joey nods again before joining Wallace and the others at the counter. She could see that they reserved a spot for her. She sits down between Cyndi and Alyssa before speaking up.
“Interesting night?” Joey asked.
“It’s still bright outside,” Wallace said.
“It will be an interesting night.”
“I wouldn’t know,” Vincent said. “I won’t be here.”
“I’ll update you later,” Wallace reassured him.
“I need to get back to the station later too and same goes for you, Lieutenant Ma,” Joey said.
“I know,” Kenneth said. “I was just taking a break from our princess. She’s a slave driver, I’m telling you.”
“Come on now. She’s just a motivated kid after all.” She wrinkles her eyebrows. “When did you resort to whining?”
“Since he found his princess,” Wallace jumped in.
Kenneth turns to Wallace. “Hey!”
Wallace smiles. “Sorry.”
“Anyway, when you’re back, remember that you’re alone tonight,” Joey told Kenneth.
“I thought you said you have to get back too,” Kenneth said, turning his attention to Joey.
“I have to go upstairs for the majority of the night. Brad and George are out.”
“What if the princess…”
“She wouldn’t do it at that station,” Wallace reassured Kenneth. “There are cameras.”
Kenneth turns to Wallace again. “What are you talking about?”
“Take you out, what else? Besides, does she carry a gun yet?”
“Not that! I meant…never mind.”
Wallace realizes it. “Oooohh…” He points his fork at Kenneth. “You’re way over. Can’t believe it. Did she say she like you yet or something? Written a confession or…”
“Ge!” Alice called out.
Wallace could almost jump off the stool he’s sitting on if he wasn’t prepared. He turns around to give his sister a look. “What did you do that for?”
“I was just curious.”
“Go back to your kiddy table.” He sees Annie’s expression. “Not you, Annie!”
“I’ll go over there so you guys can talk,” Cyndi volunteered.
“Hey, I didn’t mean it.”
Cyndi smiles at him. “Not that. I want to talk to Annie too.”
Alice ends up taking Cyndi’s spot after she gathers up her food plate and utensils.
“What?” Wallace asked.
“So…” Alice looks from Joey to Kenneth. “Can you guys tell me about the princess?”
“None of your business, sis.” He turns to Kenneth. “Just in case you don’t know, she has a crush on you.”
“Ge!”
“That’s kind of cute though,” Alyssa said.
“I think he’s turning red,” Vincent commented.
“I’m right here, you know,” Kenneth said. “And I’m not.”
“Don’t mind her,” Wallace said. “Anyway, karaoke night, anyone?”
“I have to go with Vincent, remember?” Alyssa reminded him.
Wallace turns to Ray’s table. “Karaoke night, anyone?”
Ray turns to Wallace. “Gallen’s place?”
“He’s the only one with a fancy system, right?”
Ray turns to Gallen. “In or out?”
“If everyone wants to, I wouldn’t object,” Gallen said.
Ray turns to Yoyo. “Well, the future Mrs...”
Yoyo gives him a look to shut him up.
“She’s in but a bit reluctant.”
Wallace smiles. “It kind of reminds me of that one time that we tricked Ken into…”
“You just did what I did like about half an hour back, man.”
Kenneth scans the room real fast. “Guys?”
“Sorry, I know I was heavy,” Charmaine said quickly.
“It was Jacky’s fault,” Ray said at the same time as Charmaine. “And Wallace was our mastermind.”
Kenneth turns back to Wallace.
Wallace clears his throat. “All right, all right. Might as well tell you.”
He does a quick version of it with Ray and the others chime in once awhile to fill in the details.
Kenneth’s still staring at Wallace. “You made me carried her all the way up to the 7th floor?”
Wallace shrugs his shoulders. “Sorry. But then again, you weren’t innocent either, right? I thought you were up to something even, especially since you drove right out of the station after Jacky and I left that night.”
Kenneth’s look turns to confused. “What night?”
“The same night..uh…” He looks at Vincent real quick. “…his uncle was thought to have escaped.”
“I had to go back before Ruby ran again.”
“We know that now but we didn’t know it before, okay?”
“Forget it.”
“As I was saying before, it gets interesting by the minute,” Vincent said. “I should come here more often.”
Alyssa shakes her head. “And you guys say that us girls are nosy.”
Vincent smiles. “Just curious.”
They continue the rest of the meal in that manner, eating and chatting away. Of course they have to clean up and clear out afterwards. They end up saving the desserts for that night at Gallen’s apartment, which is as agreed upon while they’re cleaning up.
Kenneth and Joey have to return to the station again to their duties. The most interesting thing of the scene of the departure is Mr. Cho insists on taking a walk with Ms. Bak around the neighborhood for a while. The others, especially Ray and Mandy, are a little worried but know that they shouldn’t object to it or interfere. After all, both have been getting along quite nicely throughout the afternoon meal.
They actually are gathered around the lobby of the building to say goodbye and separate. The only ones left are Wallace, Ray, Kevin, Mandy, Charmaine, and Jessica when they watch Mr. Cho and Ms. Bak ‘go on their walk’ together. Cyndi and Annie have planned to go to the movies together while Alice decided to tag along. Gallen had gone with Yoyo and Nnadia to the bookstore.
“This will get interesting,” Wallace remarked.
“Tell me about it,” Ray said. “I could almost imagine that they’ll be pulling out their sabers as soon as they’re out of our sight.”
“Ge, you have such a wide imagination,” Mandy said. “Maybe it won’t be that bad.”
“Mom has been putting up that front for us. Why would they want to take a walk together anyway? They’ve been holding it inside for several hours now.”
“Stop it, man,” Wallace said. “You’re crushing my shoulder.”
Ray finally realizes that he has been pressing down on Wallace’s shoulder as his imagination takes over. He lets out a nervous laugh. “Sorry, man. I’m surprised you didn’t scream earlier.”
“I’m Wallace Huo. Would I scream that easily?”
“Should we follow them?”
“What if they catch us?”
“I know a way. Let’s go.”
“You guys are always up to something,” Charmaine said.
“Come on. Let’s get out of here before we change our mind.”
Half because of Ray’s paranoia and half because of their curiosity nabbing at them, they follow through with Ray’s plan. They take Charmaine’s car and try to follow at a safe distance. They end up following the two until sunset, which is strange as to why the two could stay together for so long and still get along. They end up watching the sun set together along with the other two also – at a safe distance of course.
When they finally pull away from the scene after Mr. Cho and Ms. Bak finally get into Mr. Cho’s limo, Ray lets out a sigh and sits back at his spot.
“Did I imagine it or is that a sigh of disappointment?” Wallace asked. “It’s like you were betting on money for them to fight.”
“I don’t know,” Ray said. “This is going to nab at me for…ever.”
“Stop being dramatic.”
“Didn’t you say that Auntie seems a lot calmer when you and Mandy finally got her forgiveness?” Jessica asked. “Maybe it’s like she said. She already thought it through and is just trying to get along with Uncle again.”
“Send me a postcard when they get married again,” Ray snapped.
“Ge!” Mandy shouted out.
“What?”
“You sound so morbid that…”
“I’m not sure about marriage though,” Wallace said.
“Good, so I don’t have to feel weird about it,” Ray said.
“They might just become good friends again.”
“How would you know?”
“I just have a feeling.”
“Nice knowing you too.”
“Ge, stop being so down on Christmas,” Mandy urged.
“Why can’t I?”
“Because if you keep this up, the rest of us will win at karaoke night!”
Ray snaps his fingers. “That’s right, sis! Thanks for reminding me.”
Ray becomes cheerful and talkative again the rest of the ride back to Constant Comfort. Kevin and Wallace flash Mandy a ‘good job’ smile as they could see Ray’s spirit being lifted once again. Ray couldn’t see them because he’s sitting in front with Charmaine while the rest of them are crammed in the back with Jessica and Mandy next to each other, then Kevin and Wallace.
When they finally arrive at Constant Comfort again, they are more than ready to go inside for a cup of hot tea.
© Thursday, March 19th, 2009
Re-posted: Saturday, October 17th, 2009